Bachelor of Arts in Performance

Our B.A. is released directly by British universities and boards of the highest levels, Institutional Approval procedures are held during the courses to control the quality of the service we provide.

• Study area: Performance – Technology and production
• Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Keyboards/Piano, Horns and woodwinds
• Director of Studies: Valerio Silvestro, Loredana Lubrano
• Attendance: Part Time (a selection of subjects) or Full Time
• Duration: either September - June or January - December

The bachelor is based on the models of the most advanced music schools in the world. Its main goal is to achieve a thorough and all-around preparation of the students, extending from the core techniques on the instruments to the study of musical theory and harmony, ear training, complementary piano, sight reading, critical listening, live music performance, interplay and so on. Our teaching and learning method is base upon a revolutionary use of the body as the main instrument in the music performance (Music Aptitude Development system). Our focus is to practice music making and live performance, having the chance to do so with some of the most proficient musicians and music teachers in Italy.

Courses structure

The Bachelor of Arts courses in Music Performance is split into three separate years of study (September-June or January-December). Every year is divided into two phases at the ending of which the students will have to attend a test for every subject he enrolled (both performative and no performative subjects).

The courses are held weekly over about 12 hours (varying depending on stages and internships) of performative lessons over 2-3 days, while the non-performative subjects will be done in e-learning. Apart from the normal class hours, the students will be able to participate in stages and internships.

During the year Jam Academy organizes masterclasses and clinics with teachers and professionals renowned all over Italy and the world: Katie Leone, Fred Wesley, Cristian Meyer, Alain Caron, Andrea Braido, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Claudio Fabi, Mara Maionchi, Marcus Miller, Rita Ciccarelli, Neco Novellas, Danny Bronzini, Rashmi Bhatt, etc.

Course Enrollment

• Early enrollment discount from April to July
• Regular enrollment in September and January
• Scholarships and grants every April

I anno: Edexcel Units

• Music Performance Studies
• Harmony and Composition
• Aural Perception
• Music Notation
• Music Technology
• Music in Context
• Critical Music Listening
• The Music Business in the 21st century

II anno: Edexcel Units

• Music Performance Skills
• Improvisation in Music
• Harmony and Arranging
• Songwriting Techniques and Skills
• New Media Technology
• Creative Arts Research Skills
• Preparation, Process and Production in the Creative Arts
• Marketing the Creative Arts

III anno: Essex Units

• Solo Performance (c/o Lucca)
• Creative Musicianship (c/o Lucca)
• Specialised project (c/o Bologna)

Subject Table

Every student will have to confirm his study plan according to the year of attendance and frequency (part-time or full time). It is mandatory to have an IELTS Academic English language exam with an average score of 6.0 (a minimum 5.5 on every subject). PTE Pearson with 51 or Toefl with a minimum of 80 are also valid.

Scholarships and economic facilitation

Jam Academy adopts a policy of economic facilitation towards deserving students enrolling for our 3-year courses (Rock&Pop and Bachelor of Arts). Thanks to the contribution of Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca and Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca, we are able to provide different ways for our students to cover for a part or the total cost of the tuition. Yearly, during the month of April, many announcements for grants and scholarships are issued for the following year. The rules to apply for this scholarships are precisely stated in the official communications but generally, the criteria are: Musical resume, studying results, economic difficulties and date of enrolment.

These are some of our initiatives:

• Scholarships to enrolling students
• Learning Vouchers, with a potential coverage of 100% of the cost for the Bachelor of Arts
• Discounts and payment agreements depending on enrollment method
• Free courses offered by Jam Academy

Since 2001 Jam Academy has offered to more than 5000 students the opportunity to discover and enhance their musical talent. The courses are divided into Basic Courses and Higher Education: Bachelor of Arts in Performance and Bachelor of Arts in Technology and Production . Jam Academy releases academic qualifications recognized by the London Performers Examination Board and accredited by BTEC Pearson (an English institution for academic and professional qualifications), University of Bedfordshire , Trinity College (Examination Board, British Certification Authority.

Didactic methodology for music teaching

In 2012 Jam Academy first introduced in her courses the new teaching methods of the Music Aptitude Development (M.A.D.) system. In this method the person doing music is seen as a whole, as doing music is a complex endeavor concerning both physical and psychological abilities. The core assumption of this method is the following: 1. Making music is an activity that concerns different very important aspects of a person: Rational thinking, creativity, emotional and bodily awareness. 2. The skills involved are not strictly bound to the specific nature of the musical endeavor, but more relevant to the functioning of the person as a whole. 3. Modern music is completely different from classical music and requires completely different teaching methodologies and learning procedures. The M.A.D. innovation resides in the training of such skills necessary to be able to perform music. Music Aptitude Development is designed to teach modern music and as such is unburdened of old legacies residing in the traditional teachings of written and classical music. It is clear that modern teaching methods are in dire need of new ways and procedures. We strongly believe that one can only learn how to make music from teachers that actually make music and that never stop studying and developing their skills. Music teaching is, to us, a serious business concerning every aspect of a person. The core concept is to work on motor skills, coordination, perception, imagination and very few knowledge concepts that our founding to the modern music. Everyone learns to sing, move in time, play the piano. Everyone has a profound knowledge of the modern harmony. Everyone studies composition and arranging, and so on. The difference is in how those skills are developed and how they fit and cooperate with each other. There is no talent, only hard work. Our students are prepared musicians, self-aware artists, and effective teachers, but among other things, they are made whole by the discovery of many skills and parts of them they did not know.